Light for umbrellas or canes



Feb 14, 1928. 1,659,346

J. H. BEATTY LIGHT FOR UMBRELLAS OR CANES Filed Feb. 17, 1926 Patented '14, 1928.

UNITED) STATES JOSEPH H. BEATTY, F WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

l near ron UMBRELLAS on earns.

Application filed February 17, 1926. Berial No. 88,938.

This invention appertains generally to new and useful improvements in signals and relates more specifically to a novel and simplified light for incorporation with an umrella, cane or the like; i

The present invention is particularly adapted for use by pedestrians when crossing the streets at night or when walking along on a dark night to warn approaching automobilists or other pedestrians of their presence.

Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is the provision of an umbre1- la, cane or the like having associated therewith a light to be used as a signal light when crossing the streets or when walking along on a particularly dark night.

Another object of the present invention is to providea signal light arranged in the stick of the umbrella or cane adjacent the' tip thereof so that the same can be readily seen when the cane or umbrella is held upwardly as when the latter is in use.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of new and novel means for 1 operating the light from the handle of the umbrella or cane in connection with which itis incorporated.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of such a signal light together with means for operating the same whichis simple in construction, practical and efficient in its operation and well designed for the purposes for which it is intended.

With these and numerous other objects in vlewg the invention resides 1n the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be more fully hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of thisapplication Figure 1 is a view of an umbrella, partially brokenaway and showing the present panying drawings and especially with reference to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the letter A generally indicates an umbrella of my improved construction which comprises an elongated cylindrical stick 10 provided adjacent its outer end with the usual rib covering 11, while the inner end thereof is provided with the external threads 12 adapted to receive the internal threads 13 of the hanvdle 14, said handle including the threaded portion 15 andthe right angularly directed portion 16. i s i The stick 11 is formed with the longitudinally extending concentric bore 17 closed at its inner end by means of the wall 18, the outer end of said stick being internally threaded as indicated at 19 to receive the external threads formed on the reduced end 20 of the lamp housing or casing 21, the outer end portion of the said housing being ro- Vided with the reduced externally threaded portion or nipple 22 adapted to be threadedly engaged by the tip 9.

Secured Within the reduced end portion 20 of the lamp housing 21 is a lamp socket 23 for the reception of a suitable incandescent bulb 24, said lamp housing 21 being further provided with a plurality of clone wall 18 of'the stick 10 and project slightly therebeyond.

The threaded portion 15 of the handle 14: is provided with an enlarged recess 29, and a smaller recess 30' communicating therewith. A- battery of the suitable dry cell type is positioned within the enlarged recess 29 while a coil spring 32 is disposed within-the recess 30, said spring bearing against the bottom of thebattery 31 and normally urging the same outwardly to hold the pole 33 thereof in engagement with the contact finger 28. I

Secured to the inner surface of one side of thethreadedportion 15 of the handle 14 such as by means of a rivet or the like 34:, is a spring contact member 35, the outer end thereof being inwardly directed as at 36 and being held in engagement with the contact finger 27. The inner end of thespring contact member overlaps and is disposed in front of the push button 37 mounted in the side wall of the threaded portion 15 of the handle 14, said push button being preferably provided atits inner end with a shoulder or flange 28 which serves to limitthe outward movement thereof.

The resiliency of the spring contact member normally urges the push button 87 outwardly of the handle so that the said contact member is normally out of contact with the battery 31. hen it is desired to light the lamp 2%, it is only necessary to move the push button 37 inwardly until the contact member 35 engages the battery 31 whereupon it will be evident that an electric circuit will be completed or closed through the battery and lamp, whereby to light the latter. It will also be seen that as soon as pressure upon the push button is released, the resilient contact member 35 will cause the same to be moved outwardly and the circuit through the lamp will then be broken.

It will thus be seen that a pedestrian when crossing the street at night, can upon raising the umbrella and closing the circuit through the lamp, warn approaching automobilists of his presence. It will therefore be appreciated that the present invention will serve to safeguard the person carrying the same against being accidentally run down by an automobile. The umbrella can, of course, be used in divers other emergencies under various conditions.

In Figure 4, has been shown a cane C including the stick 40, provided at one end with the handle 41 and at its opposite end with the lamp housing 42, it being of course understood that the lamp controlling mechanism described hereinabove is adapted to be arranged within the stick 40, handle 41, and lamp housing 42 and to be operated through the medium of the push button 43. When it is desired to light the lamp 24, it is only necessary to press upon the push button and as soon as this pressure is released, the light will be extinguished.

It is also to be understood that details in the particular construction and arrangement of the present device may be resorted to without departing from or sacrificing the spirit of the invention so long as the changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat is claimed is: a

1. An umbrella or cane including a stick, provided with an inner Wall, a handle carried by one end of the stick, said handle having an enlarged recess and a smaller recess communicating therewith, a lamp housing carried by the opposite end of the stick and provided with a plurality of openings, a lamp socket secured within said lamp housing, a lamp carried by said socket and beingvisible through said openings, wires running from the lamp socket and being provided with terminal contact fingers secured within the said inner wall of the stick, a battery disposed within the enlarged recess in said handle, a spring disposed within the smaller recess and normally urging the battery into engagement with one of said contact fingers, a resilient contact member carried by said handle and being engaged with the other contact finger, and a push button also carried by said handle and engaging the said resilient contact member whereby the latter may be moved to contact with said battery.

2. An umbrella comprising a hollow stick, a handle connected with one end of the stick provided with a chamber communicating with the stick, the opposite end of the handle being provided with a threaded socket, a lamp casing provided with light emitting openings having its opposite ends provided with threaded nipples, one of the nipples being threaded into the socket, a protecting wear tip threaded on the other nipple, a lamp in said casing. a battery in said chamber, wiring connecting the lamp and battery together, and a switch 'incorporating the wiring carried by said handle.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

JOSEPH H. BEATTY. 

